Perils of Multitasking

Hi, Cassandra. Hi, Martooni. Have a nice weekend.

I will vouch for the airport power search. My wife travels with a tiny power strip and will commandeer one of the code required housekeeping outlets and set up shop. Phone charger, laptop power convertor, rechargeable camera batteries, hair dryer, etc. We look like electronic Okies.

Southwest has started installing power kiosks to cluster the business travelers away from the tourists.

My daughter insisted she can read Precal textbook with IM popping up and hide away before I could catch it. I told her to focus. She said I am old-fasioned and not knowing what the benefit of multitasking. I was conflicted if I should enforce my suggestion/command or call for help of her mom, who would be more persuasive than me.

I started to read the Kit, but then I got distracted. What did it say?

Recently there was an article (NYT? who knows?) on memory loss in younger women (okay, those of us approaching or rejoicing in middle age). They blamed it on multitasking - women juggle work and kids and parents and shopping and cooking and housecleaning and transportation duties and child- and school- activities and any personal obligations they may have and the obligation to exercise to take care of oneself and eat healthy and get that mammogram and . Sorry. I'll breathe now. ANYHOO, we are constantly holding several things in our brains and it is preventing us from remembering simple and important things; also hindering our ability to actually get anything done.

Three of us here in the office saw this and instantly recognized ourselves. Now it is our excuse: can't remember why you dialed that number? what you promised you'd pick up but didn't write down? why you came into this room? Mommy Brain!

I tell the Boy he is not allowed to multitask until he can prove that he can do each individual task well. Until then, he is relegated to one thing at a time.

Ivansmom, I do believe I said the exactly same thing (surely not so eloquently) to my daughter, but to no avail.

Wondering whether the obvious, giant, recent Israeli military exercise in the Mediterranean is a prelude to an airstike on Iraq is so much more interesting than pulling weeds and pruning suckers in the heat, handwashing soiled placements, scrubbing toilets.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/washington/20iran.html?hp

I have paid to recharge my laptop at some airport, but I can't remember which one it was. Probably Dallas, that's the one I spend the most time in. I was happy to spend the $3 or whatever it was, to avoid the feeling that I was leeching off the airport power grid.

I think it's Ellen DeGeneres who has a joke about how when you turn on the air vent above your seat on the airplane it uses power that might be needed for flight, so she never turns it on and panics if the person next to her does.

Actually, the reason to never turn on the air vent above your seat is that you're then getting a faceful of everyone's germs on the plane, not just those around you.

Does Boodling and working count as multitasking?

bc

I can multitask as well as anyone, but I have been well aware of its affects for quite some time. Thus I refuse to do it. What I do instead would more accurately be called Time Share (Old Mainframe Computer term). Could also be called switch-tasking.

Ha! Like anyone's going to buy that bridge...

Aw man, I just found out today is the first day of summer. I haven't finished my spring cleaning yet. I guess it was pretty stupid of me to procrastinate until June 18th.

Ivansmom--this is why I have 6 pairs of glasses.

But really, my younger son just got a Blackberry for his job. He said the idea is he will never be bored again...always something to read or play and instant communication. Which does make me wonder if we will slowly lose our creative thinking ability.

There are actually times I enjoy doing nothing at all...GASP!

Happy Midsummer (or St. Johns Day) to all.

I used to be one of the best multitaskers around, but not anymore. I CAN multitask, but each task suffers. If I want the best result, I have to think about the single task. My job involves reports of my observations, and sometimes the diplomatic language I need to use is tortuous. Yet my report must be absolutely clear and concise. My output when multitasking (which inevitably must be revised) is similar to: "This is the worst possible installation ever!" That is, a completely unacceptable report, even if true.

If you procrastinate on many projects at once, does that count as multitasking?

Yes,kurosawaguy, you get multitasking points for mass procrastination. It's one of my best skills.

Jumper, I'd like to think that I used to be better at multitasking than I am, judging by results per project, but I'm afraid that is just self-delusion.

Ah common now. I multitax all the time. Expectorantly when I am writing these boodle entrees. I type them while I am checking intermediary results form the other computers in my cuticle. And I never have any problems atoll.

Who likes Nicole Kidman?
Who likes Robbie Williams?
Who likes the song 'Somethin' Stupid'?

How about a duet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BdiAQmEaf0

Lyrics: http://www.lyrics007.com/Robbie%20Williams%20Lyrics/Something%20Stupid%20Lyrics.html

Hmm.

I think the Boodle could be classified as a Weapon of Mass Procrastination, really.

I should be doing something other than this, right this very second, for example.

bc

* diligently copying "expectorantly" into my vocabularly list. Suspect it has Jungian connection to "fluvial"*

Mei Xiang might be preggers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062001113.html?hpid=topnews

My Sharona, not so much.

Might be pregnant, might not. Kind of a grey area. And you thought everything was black and white in the world of pandas.

I agree. My old job was information overload at a high rate, and I know my literacy and thinking skills have suffered.

Um, I had to scan scientific nonsense at a rate of like 30-60 abstracts a minute to see if I needed any of them.

I used to read over 1400 words per minute, so it was hard to learn how to skim, instead of reading. Now I have to relearn reading without skimming.

I am still in detox and mourning my lost intelligence and attention skills.

Mudge, what was that quote about editors becoming blind to taste and quality after a while? I found it to be so true.

I wonder if one could say Mei Xiang was "expectorant"?

And all along I thought expectorant was cough medicine....

I do not multitask in my car, while driving. No phoning, no eating/drinking, no combing of hair, make-up, etc. And, especially now that my sons are grown and out in the world, no disciplining of children while behind the wheel.

I dunno, seems I need to focus on the road and the other drivers a whole lot more than I used to have to do.

The older I get, the less tasks I can multi. Sad part of aging I think.

Over on the Celebritology blog somebody posted a quote from the John Cusack chat.

Someone asked what shamued meant (John is apparently a very bad typist).

I stole a joke from George Carlin to post in answer.

Person who asked question now needs new keyboard.

I'm so proud of myself.

Mudge, this story's for you:

http://www.charlotte.com/sports/story/677993.html

And here's something in honor of the first day of summer--a recipe for fried watermelon:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/taste/easyrecipes/stories/062806dnlivfriedwatermelon.90d44a6e.html

I have certifiably regressed from mature concentration to youthful distraction, complete with lousy short-term memory. From this perspective, Tiger is all the more remarkable.

One of the great skills of distraction is to embark on some grandiose new project while all sorts of other stuff is left vegetating, whether socks on the table or weeds in the yard.

Dang, I knew I forgot to do something today: "Embark on new grandiose project."

I mean, forget all the grandiose projects I haven't finished yet. Pfft.

Feh. A hundred years old. He's still a whippersnapper.

Oh, I am seriously remiss! I owe Scotty a very big thanks for that link to the Mitchellville plumber who built the baseball field in his front yard. What a great story! What a great Dad! (Although glad I didn't live next door; I'd have been over there every night umpiring, which would have led to certain divorce, etc.) They need to put the name of Jim Skardino in Cooperstown. (I'm a little disappointed there didn't seem to be any valet parking...)

I think kitchen overhaul is about to leave the Grandiose New Project phase and join the Stalled-Out Mess phase.

The Swedish Store invaded Orlando. Visit the store (or even better, the Broward County store) and try to figure out how many languages you're hearing. I don't want to guess how many existing kitchens suddenly look inadequate, inefficient, or fusty.

my JOB requires multitasking. sometimes at very high rpm's... i mulitask so much that when i get home it's all i can do to just sit on the couch and veg in front of the boob tube! but my cat wants attention and food, the dishes need to get done, the bathroom needs to get cleaned, clothes put away - so i multitask during commercials (hahaha - i keed! i keed! i have tivo - i don't watch commercials anymore - but that means i can watch TWO shows now at the same time!)

btw - what was wonder woman doing in dc and why was she on a boat by herself with no cell phone?
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gPeVkpVK92UJFaRl16-IeV29Z0YAD915KQC01

(i hope this wasn't mentioned before - i'm helplessly behind on the boodle!)

In case anyone is curious - McCains remarks to the Economic Club in Ottawa today.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080620.wmccaintext0620/BNStory/Front

"Vero Possumus" = "In Truth, I've Nabbed a Possum"? My Latin feels rusty today.

As Candy Crowley suggests, "Don't try this in rural Pennsylvania."

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/20/obama%e2%80%99s-seal-of-approval/

Big day tomorrow: we're getting the DirectTV sateliite system (goodby, Comcast, you slimebuckets!).

Then I'm cooking on the grill for some friends of my wife, the Matchmaker. My wife has a friend who has been in a relationship with a guy for the past three or four years, who takes a great deal of advantage of her. My wife's friend has been saying for a year or two she wants to and ought to dump the guy, but she lacks the courage to do it, doesn't want to be alone, thinks she won't find a new guy, etc.--all mostly untrue. So meanwhile my wife has a client she sold a house to 10 or 15 years ago, who is since divorced, and is now selling his current house. And this guy is perfect for my wife's friend. They've never met, but know this is a sort of blind date (which is how my wife and I met). So I'm grilling steaks and asparagus and whatnot, the wine is a-chillin' in the fridge, my wife's making a fancy desert, etc.

Me, I'm just the hired hand in all this.

I SUSPECT she was on that boat without a cellphone to get away from multitasking.

Galloping for the Friday night bus soon. Everybody have a good weekend.

Wilbrod... you can take over my grandiose project of the day (brake job) any time you're ready.

I came very close to smashing the windshield of our van with a wrench, but thankfully thought better of it.

Got the calipers off with only one smashed knuckle and a blood blister, but the stinking rotors... Needed a bigger Torx driver than I had and the nearby hardware store didn't have it, so I had to foot it two miles (each way) to the tool department at the mall Sears store. The worst part of the trip, though, was having to go through the perfume section of Macy's to get there. I *still* smell like a French hooker and I never touched a thing.

Anyway, I get the Torx thing home and guess what? Every one of the bolts are rusted in place and won't budge. Right now I have them soaking up some Liquid Wrench, but I'm eyeing up my torch and 5 lb. "engineer's hammer". They're coming off one way or another. Or else.

The longer that liquid wrench has to work, the easier it will be. I once watched a guy take off exhaust manifold bolts using wd-40 and patience. He let the stuff soak in for 4 hours before he touched the bolts. Then he put his air wrench on lowest possible setting, barely tapping each bolt head with each puff of air. Rigging the air wrench to stay in position by itself, he went and did something else for each period of time. Sure enough, average 30 minutes per bolt, he came back and each one was free; he went on to each that way. I was very impressed.

Oh, the things I could do if I had an air wrench.

But I'll settle for the big hammer and torch.

I'm planning on soaking the bolts overnight -- been squirting them with a fresh dose of liquid wrench every hour or so -- and hoping beyond hope that they'll come loose in the morning without much fuss. I figure there's eight years of rust there, so twenty-four hours of swearing and throwing tools is nothing in the grand scheme of things -- assuming I can get the buggers out.

That said, this is our only vehicle, so it's kind of important that I get it back on the road. Mrs. M is already giving me mean looks and tomorrow is her day to go garage saling.

wow, it's not just me with the problem... I thought I was just going senile... the constant distractions of technology. I feel so unproductive at times. It's really email that is the nightmare and I will NEVER get a blackberry device. That would spell disaster as far as I'm concerned.

Love the cottage---no internet---intend to keep it that way.

DirectTV has much better music stations too.

SCC: music channels

Deep breath in... hold it... hold it... slow exhale.

The proposal is done.

I would go sleep for the first time in 32 hours, but we just got more Battlestar Galactica from Netflix, and we have Beowulf from Netflix. Tomorrow we need to spend prepping the old house to go on the market. Tonight we need to get laundry done. Sunday, I jump on an airplane for Hawaii. Lots of stuff to do.

Hey, the Boss has a story on Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2191910

We used the GPS coming up the mountain. We know the way, for heavens sake, but we veered off our normal route to avoid stopped traffic on the interstate. We would have been fine without the unit, but it's fun to play with.

Thanks for the heads up, slyness. I love this paragraph...

"I walked out of the Sydney airport and jumped in my rental car under a sparkling antipodal sky. Jaw dropped: no steering wheel. Ah! But of course. In Australia, the passenger drives."

I am dreadful at multitasking. I can barely do one thing at at time, never mind two. And three is right out.

What I am pretty good at, out of psychological necessity, is what one might call interstitial activity. That is, instead of just sitting around humming to myself when I have to wait for a process to finish, I find something else to do.

For example, right now I have about three minutes to wait before my soothing mug of Chamomile Tea has properly seeped. Just enough time to run over to the computer and type up a silly self-referential post.

Of course, the problem with interstitial activity is that I will often forget what I was doing.

Which is why my wife finds a lot of cold mugs of Chamomile Tea.

How could you overlook this chuckle-inducer, TBG? (Well, maybe it's an upchuck-inducer, as well, but much of the best humor is.)

..."By studying the landscape, finding the sun in the sky, examining the moss on trees, and judging the rabbit pellets and bear spoor by temperature and mouthfeel, I can reliably find the nearest Starbucks."

Of course that's chuckle-inducing humor, Wilbrod. Everybody knows all you have to do to find a Starbucks is look up. Nobody is ever out of sight of Starbucks.

I think at least 3 boodlers are miles and miles from the nearest Starbucks. I could be 200 miles from one.

Not that I'm complaining, but Frostbitten is probably glad to move to St. Paul just for the cuppa hot joe with cream, sugar, flavorings, and a sprinkling of mysterious spices of the orient-- all for 4 bucks-plus.

But I do understand that we have quite a lot of bear spoor to test thereabouts!

Golly, there IS a starbucks less than 200 miles away-- in a Canadian Superway's. Figures (wonder if they carry tea).

Other than that, my guess wasn't far off.

You know me so well Wilbrod. Starbucks, Caribou, funky little independent coffee shop-makes no never mind to me as long as I can spend my 4 bucks without spending 8 bucks to get there. St. Paul is the promised land.

Welcome to Pond Boss, if you're still with us.

Multi-tasking bit me big time this week. Went beyond trying to do two, or more, things at once to committing myself to be in two places at once. Terrible "oh snit" moment when I not only realized it but had no way to recover. Tonight I am scheduling myself for 8 hours of sleeo,

You may be surprised, Wilbrod...

http://www.starbucks.com/Retail/Find/default.aspx

:-)

I have a job like mo's which requires multitasking. The problem is that since late last year, the workload has increased to the point where we're all torn in so many directions at once that we can't keep anything straight. I long for the days when I only had 2 or 3 urgent projects at a time - now it's more like 10, and when those are done, more spring up. But it's the things that break at the most inconvenient times that wear me down. Not to mention I'm not as young as I used to be (see Aloha's post).

Right now I'm waiting for a process to finish so I can do a few more work-related things. And taking the opportunity to boodle (from home, of course) at the same time. I like doing laundry because I can do other things while it cycles. And of course I'm always doing something else while watching TV. So I'm not opposed to multitasking, but there is a point where it just becomes non-productive, as Joel pointed out.

Great article in Slate. Needed the hilarity today, for sure.

Oops, gotta go!

According to the store locator my second nearest Starbucks is in Ontario (110 miles), the nearest is 42 miles (and they know me well).

I multitask best at Christmas time. Wrapping presents while cookies are baking and such. I do it at work all the time by necessity as I answer the phones and am always doing something else, including talking on the phone, when it rings.

Hey Mudge, we're getting Direct TV a week from tomorrow. Can't wait to get Comcast out of the house. Here in New England, we have Starbucks but not in the way we have Dunkin Donuts, There are at least six of them within a three mile radius of my house.

This has been an interesting couple of days. Last night when I got home from daughter #2's house, "S" had also just arrived and was warming up leftovers. I noticed a fly in the kitchen. I killed it, then noticed another one who came to the same end. Then I walked into the living room and there was another one, and another one and so forth. After killing about five of them I thought back to a few days ago when I kept hearing a strange noise in the house. The I remembered that many years ago in another lifetime, something had died (a bird?) in the chimney and the room had been infested with flys. So I told "S" that we needed to light a blazing fire, which we did. Fly problem solved. We really need to stop procrastinating about getting the chimney capped though.

Eeeewww!!! I'm laughing, though. We had a live woodpecker in the fireplace insert once - luckily we didn't have a fire going. Heard some noise, Mr Ml opened the door, and whoosh! Wild, flapping, large woodpecker was loose in the house. Panic ensued, then hilarity. Capping the chimney would be a good idea.

Swimming keeps me from multi-tasking save for my prayers for all known and unknown to me. I could go to the multi-tasking Olympics, but if we are honest the micro-focus is really small events paid attention to for microseconds and then on to the next task.

Here is a quote given me by a friend this evening. "Modes" made me think on multi-tasking. Love and fortitude: we need more of each. Have a heaping helping tomorrow with your Wheaties. Then sally forth; task well.

"Heaven is large and affords space for all modes of love and fortitude. "
- Emerson

Forgive me if someone has already linked to this Sunday Times article about Obamacons. It has quotes from some moderately prominent Republicans/conservatives who are backing Obama.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4138151.ece

My favorite part is the closing quote from Brink Lindsey of the Cato Institute-

"There is a good chunk of people, like myself, who believe the Republicans ought to go down in flames," he said. "They have made a complete hash of things and they deserve to pay."

Mostly, I had a couple of birds get into my wood stove,it was hilarious,especially watching the cats watching the stove. I was able to get them out with fire gloves and was surprised to see they were bluebirds. After that I put up a wire cap for my stove.

Saw a couple interesting cars on my way to work today, 3 ElCamino's and then a Corvair. There must be a show somewhere nearby this weekend.

Happy Summer Soltice to everyone,I am celebrating on the river during the day and hopefully around a fire at night.

Have a Great weekend everyone!!!

Boodle piglet: Does the auto industry need an Intel, IBM, and Apple?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619135207.htm

Yet another oink:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619142118.htm

Start talking Gallons per mile (GPM) instead of MPG-- easier for the customer to calculate how much gas the car will guzzle...

A funny article like that and it's Weingarten that got to keep the humor column in The Magazine? There is no justice in this world.

Oh, justice shall be served to Weingarten on a cold dish someday, Yellojkt.

Good story in Slate, Joel. Finally more details about your exotic upside down trip!

Big clouds out here and distant thunder. I love summer!

Summer! Yes, it even felt like summer here today. Not that I got out much - and I have another long day consumed by work tomorrow. But huzzah! Summer is here.

I was watching a marathon of smutty shows on Showtime and Penn and Teller had a show on the War On Pr0n. Guess which side they were taking. My wife was wondering how I find these shows.

Now I've moved on to the late night Degrassi Cast Party Weekend. It looks like second or third season by the plot lines.

Let me just say my sense of direction is oft-commented on. As to whether the comments are printable, well... :-)

And let me go on the record that NukeSpawn was quite productive at the office yesterday. (Bad, bad, slavedriver Daddy!) *L*

I'll make it up to her today, never fear. Something involving a horse, if I recall correctly.

*hoping-the-weekend-doesn't-fly-by-as-usual Grover waves* :-)

'morning Scotty, Cassandra.
Incredibly, it didn't rain on the show last night. We got a heavy shower on the drive back from work. We got into the car under heavy rain to go to the show yet the rain stopped before we got there. By some kind of minor mracle not a drop fell later. Lots of mayflies were skittering around though, this is what happen when the location is right on the river.
I wish I could multitask this morning, I have so many things to do. Clean the pool, clear 2 downed three, mow the lawn (a.k.a. cutting and gathering the hay.), walk the Puppy, wash the cars, etc. Busy but good weekend ahead.

This morning I have to see a man about a car.

Happy summer, everybody...

I never really thought of myself as a "multitasker". I just considered it "doing what you gotta do".

Thankfully, I don't have a Blackberry or any other gadget in my pocket that'll demand attention and distract me from other tasks. Heck, I even got rid of the regular cell phone.

But I am addicted to the Internet and checking email -- that's where I do 99% of my business, so I'm constantly checking in to see if there were any sales or if a customer (existing or potential) has questions. So I'm constantly popping in and out of the house to keep tabs on all things "e".

And then there's the Boodle.

Got a busy day lined up here. Still need to finish the brake job on our van (hopefully the liquid wrench did it's job overnight). Then I have to make a bunch of hinges and other hardware for a slew of little door orders that need to ship today and get moving on a couple of large wholesale orders that are a week behind schedule. In other words, I'm going to be up to my elbows in grease and up to my eyeballs in sawdust for the foreseeable future.

At least I can watch TV while I cut out hinges and other pieces/parts. Kinda like knitting, in a way. Just replace the "click-click-click" of the knitting needles with the "snip-snip-snip" of aviation scissors.

Peace out and enjoy your busy Saturday...

Aviation scissors? That sounds menacing, martooni. Do be careful with them!

It's a cloudy morning in the high country, and rain is expected. Yay! I will of course water everything but it will be nice for nature to do its job also. I worry about the rhododendrens we planted last fall that seem to wilt at every opportunity. I suppose I must resign myself to the fact that I will never have a glorious garden here until I figure out how to depend on nature to do the job, or get a good-natured neighbor to water reliably when we aren't around.

I watered at home yesterday morning, and then we had an unexpected and unforecast thunderstorm after lunch. It was lovely.

Cassandra, did you get any rain in your part of the world? The storms looked to be very scattered.

Good morning everybody. It is beautiful here today. Too bad I'll spend quite a bit of it in the car going to and from a hair appointment. I can't give up my hairdresser of twenty years so every five weeks I drive an hour each way to get colored and cut.

I have a computer question. At work we do large reports that we will soon be required when submitting to the state, to PDF. We PDF most of them now but we break them down into sections because of file size. We can do most of the reports with the distiller feature but some parts, because of signatures and seals, we scan and convert. How can we reduce the memory on these so that we can email the whole report as one PDF? To clarify a bit, when I say large I mean hundreds of pages of data, charts, graphs, tables, photos (sometimes), as well as text. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Sneaks... remember that a typical monitor only supports 72dpi (or ppi), so if these are intended to look good for display only, sample any images down to that resolution. GIF and JPEG formats are pretty compact all by themselves, so if you can save them that way, do it. Avoid TIFF images at all costs unless these documents are going to hi-res print.

Otherwise (and in any case), save the PDF as a whole, then use a compression program to save it as a ZIP file (assuming you're in the Windows world). Just make sure your end user is able to un-Zip it (shouldn't really be an issue, but CYA as they say).

Back to the snips... :-)

Oh... another idea on those files (not to complicate things, but it may help).

If file size is an issue with end users' email accounts, you could bypass email altogether (as far as file transfer) by either publishing the files as an HTML doc in a password protected directory on a web server, or have them use FTP to retrieve them (can also be password protected).

Most email servers have a size limit on included files -- configurable, but often left at the "factory" settings. If your file attachment exceeds the set size limit, it will be rejected. Most end users have no control over this, which is why I suggested the HTML or FTP alternative.

Back to the snips again... (almost done now... and Slyness... aviation snippers are only dangerous if you stick a finger between the blades, which I try not to do... but they're very handy for cutting thin metal in sheet form.)

g'morning boodle! Signed on via our fair city's first official Wi-Fi hot spot. One small step toward becoming a tourist hot spot-or at least not having our current visitors pass us by for a place more satisfying for their connected generations.

Leaving for my last trip to Tampa tomorrow. Somehow Mr. F tricked me into being there when the movers come to haul our stuff away. Unfortunately I have 48 hours of multi-tasks to do before departure and only 24 hours to do them in. Must tear myself away from the boodle.....aaaaaaaah.

Hi everyone!!

Cool kit, and cool discussion as usual. Add to multitasking the new way in which we read (or don't read but simply skim). We had a big discussion about this on our blogs last week based on this article.

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google

The question was, how do we teach kids to really read in depth and really focusing when we ourselves now skim and skip around, clicking away from the page after a few paragraphs? Reading online has brought about changes in the way we read, but education has not adapted to the changes yet.

Regarding lost productivity from IM and email interruptions, my job is all about getting interrupted by people who need help with their computers. It's a good thing. I'd fail at anything else now that I'm so used to working like that.

I guess my job requires a "weak and frivolous mind" so I can jump from teacher to teacher.

I've had very bad luck at zipping pdf files. They are already highly compressed, albeit monstrously large. Scanning a printed page as an image is very space intensive. If there is any way to run it through some OCR first and let the signatures, graphs, etc. stay as images, that might help.

Embedding the graphs as live images and then scanning in signatures has some security issues, but would let you pdf it from the master document.

The other way is to only scan the pages that have be scanned and assemble the document as a meta-file. But all this is way above my skill level. Sorry to be no help.

I know we have knitters here, but do we have anyone who sews? My niece is refusing to put on her flower girl dress because it's itchy. There's a crinoline that we can cut out, but I think the seams are a problem. My brilliant idea is to cover them with smooth ribbon, attached with double-sided dress tape, but I don't know if that will work or not. Does anyone know any miracle products or techniques to remedy the failings of thoughtless flower-girl-dress-makers?

Perhaps you can buy a lovely little slip that will protect her from the itchey seams?

Good afternoon, all.

Busy moving stuff today, but had a minute to pop in and say hello.

Hope everyone's enjoying the same wonderful weather we're having in the DC region today.

I know I am, as much as I can...

More later, folks.

bc

bia, CB's suggestion makes sense to me. Your thought will certainly work - look for bias tape - but it would have to be sewn on my hand, an onerous task.

SCC: BY hand.

Oh jeez.

SCC: BY hand.

Oh jeez.

Yes, CB -- that's what slips are for, after all... thanks for reminding me!

Y'know, the last time I went looking to buy a slip, I was stunned to have to visit several stores before I found one that carried them. Do people not wear slips any more? I guess that would explain all the undergrads I see around campus showing through their thin cotton skirts.

their legs are showing through, I mean... maybe not the best choice of wording.

Thanks, slyness. I think you're right -- no one in the family needs a new onerous task right now.

For the flower girl dress-The too tedious for words, thus the approved Frostbitten method, would be to sew satin ribbon to the seam allowance on one side (if there is enough) right sides together. Trim this new seam very close then use a blind stitch to attach the ribbon to the seam allowance on the other side of the scratchy seam. However, a nice slip is a much better idea. The Frostbitten method should only be used by people who enjoy sitting in skating rinks finishing the handwork on a princess costume while watching the auntie-made skating outfit out on the ice more than the skater within.

About a million years ago, (Seriously, I was wearing pink shirts and paisley braces) I took some classes on Quality Assurance. These classes introduced me to the Pareto Principle, which states that most manufacturing defects are caused by a relatively few underlying problems.

This observation suggests that the best way to improve quality is to identify these few crucial factors and deal with them one at a time. Trying to solve too many problems at the same time, we were taught, was actually counter-productive.

In other words, multitasking really is a dumb thing to do. It is much better to do things one at a time in order of importance. The problem, of course, is that multitasking gives the illusion of greater productivity, when it really doesn't.

For example, when I clean the house I tend to go running from room to room in a flurry of feverish activity. I mean, dervishes don't whirl as much as I do. This is because my goal is to clean all the rooms simultaneously in an impressive feat of parallel processing. You know, like them fancy computers.

My wife, on the other hand, methodically, and with a minimum of superfluous motion, carefully cleans one room at a time beginning with the dirtiest. And, unsurprisingly, she does a much better overall job than do I. For she has internalized the Pareto Principle, while I have not.

Which makes me wonder just how much good those classes really did.

To balance out all this sewing talk, I just wanted to point out that I purchased a used car for my son today. Yep. It's a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. Shiny black. Pretty nice car for the money.

And all he has to do is sign a simple document promising that when it is time to institutionalize me I get high speed internet.

A recipe I made up a long time ago: (having it tonight)

Noodles (whole wheat) make 'em ready when you are.

cubes of pork
Julienned red bell pepper
bias cut bunch green onions
one jalapeno, slivers
small head of broccoli
handful of peanuts optional
dark sesame oil

sauce:
teaspoon minced garlic
2 TBS peanut butter
2 TBS Szechuan sauce
Tamari or soy sauce to taste - 1 TBS maybe
water to thin sauce - bring all these to simmer, that's all.Add water to give consistency of ... sauce

hot pan, brown pork cubes, Add TBS of sauce, stir,remove
hot pan, oil, cook veggies crisp or done; however you like. Add TBS of sauce, stir, remove.

Veggies and pork on noodles, drizzle more sauce on each serving.

There ought to be a word for lurching towards nowhere after you hit the "submit" button an instant after you remember something else:
peanuts go in with veggies; I use dry roasted. And add a TBS of sesame oil to sauce at the end, 'cause cooking sesame oil very long kills the taste.

RD... Congrats to your son on the acquisition of his new "love machine". Mine was a 70-something Renault Le Car, but the back seat was surprisingly roomy.

Maybe one of the seamstress types here can give him some tips on how to install that fabric trim stuff with the little dangling ball thingies like you find on fancy curtains and low-riders -- gotta personalize your ride (it's in the rule book). Of course, he'd probably rather have spinning rims and a four gigawatt stereo, but I'm old school.

Speaking of cars... I finally gave up on the brake job. I just don't have the appropriate tools (or patience). Called a mechanic friend of mine and told him what needs done and he said $25 labor (I already have the parts) and get this -- he'll do it tomorrow... a *Sunday*. Talk about a V-8 moment. Shoulda just called him in the first place and saved myself much aggravation.

Of course, now I have to put the bugger back together so I can limp it to his garage.

Pareto charts! I remember the phrase, but not what they were used for. And I think I used to create the charts.

Hey, boodle! Relaxing with my sibs , cousins and my aunt at the hotel here in Austin. The memorial for my uncle was quite suited to him. I didn't finish the shower, thus, it'll take a few days work to finish when I get home.

Good luck, Martooni! You make me glad I'm not knowledgeable about vehicles, so I just pay the price to let somebody else fix them.

I'm watching the progress of a thunderstorm on Virtual Earth. It should be over us in a little while. Rain, what a blessing in the Southeast. I hope Cassandra is getting some too; there was a cell headed her way.

hi jack! Glad you're enjoying time with your family. Funerals are at least good for that. Had a family christening today and it was nice to be in the church for a happy occasion.

Fun to see the aunts, uncles, cousins and great to launch the new generation.

Tomorrow we take Daughter to camp. Tonight we've got to iron the name tags onto everything. The trouble with growing kids is that every year it's new stuff--or stuff with other kids' names on it (the hand-me-downs).

Bia, if you can't find a girl-sized slip (not a fashionable thing to sell nowadays), buy a boy's undershirt (older boy size). That will be long and narrow, and the material is thin enough that it won't bunch up.

Well, it is pouring rain here, the perfect end to a beautiful day. We counted six (6) baby watermelons last night. They are loving this delugeous weather we've been having--I think I got rained on about 8 out of 10 commutes last week.

RDP: when you're drawing up that document don't forget the Bunny Addendum!

Since I am one of those special people who sporadically get the WaPo mag early, I just finished Weingarten's column. I point this out because it contains a specific challenge to copyeditors and those who is good at style and stuff. By which I mean everyone else. Anyway, it is a delightful article. And I am sure that slam on reporters with their "high-faluting Princeton educations" was entirely coincidental.

a bea c, that's a great idea. I would never have thought of that.

It turns out that all this creativity may not be necessary -- further discussion with my sister has revealed that the offending seams are in the bodice of the dress and can probably be taken care of if she just wears one of her own undershirts. The crinoline is too long and scratching her feet, but that will be taken up, and the rest of the skirt is softly lined. So it's not nearly the emergency that seemed indicated by the screaming I heard during this morning's phone call. I should have learned by now to take this child's drama with a grain of salt.

In other news, we just had a whole half-hour of hard rain. Much needed and much appreciated.

And my preparations for Monday's defense are drastically behind schedule, so what am I doing boodling? Happy Saturday, everyone, and I'll see you tomorrow.

I'm finding the conversion from office person to retail salesperson a challange because the way I need to use my memory is vbery different. The old job required direct participation in 10 things at any given moment, and inderect knowledge of more, all of which was on a sliding scale of importance that I had no control over.

Now, I find myself wandering around looking for the name of the yarn on a storage box, and find I can't even remember the name of the yarn I am looking for more than a minute. I have taken to writing it down and taking the slip with me. I used to think I was relatively intelligent. sigh. My brain is not configured for this, but it is getting better.

The problem is not multitasking, it is overload of multitasks without the luxury of taking a break by doing just one thing for a long time.

I have one suggestion for the power problem at airports. Take up knitting. You don't need plug ins for knitting, just any old pair of pencils and a cord or two will do.

Question to you computer types.
I have a large program on my PC running XP home edition called Mozilla FireFox. Do I need it? Is it OK to remove it? I went to remove it today and it gave a note that I had used it today. I don't know what for.
Lately my computer has been acting up and frequently shutting down. Help!

Don't do it bh! Mozilla FireFox is an Internet browser. If you usually use Internet Explorer you should seriously consider making FireFox your default-boodler who really know their stuff can explain why. If you don't normally use FireFox and it reports nonetheless that you used it today it could be because some other application you are using defaults to FireFox instead of IE to connect to the Internet. Have you cleared your cache lately?

Thanks, frostbitten. I use Internet Explorer.
How do i make Monzilla my internet default?
I cleaned my disc twice recently and defraged it.

martooni, I understand where you're coming from re. the brake job on the van, and the liquid wrench, but let me suggest that if you have a compressor of sufficent capacity and pressure, you can take almost anything off with an impact wrench or a big breaker bar. That impact vibration does wonders. Sometimes you do need God's own Breaker Bar (I happen to have access to a six-footer that can I can shear grade 8.8 bolts with) but the impact wrench is a lot more civilized.

RD, congrats on your son's new shiny black pride and joy. You're Italian; don't forget to throw some loose change on the floor of the car for good luck (and tell your son he has to leave it there).

Someday he'll do it for his son, though I don't know how long change would stay on the footboard of a Segway.

Have a good evening, folks.

bc

dr, you do not want to know how much of my life I spend wandering around trying to remember why I am wandering around - grocery shopping is my biggest challenge if there are specific items I need to remember (if I make a list I generally forget to bring it or to look in my purse for it - or double check it - yes that absent minded).

The good news is I always remember what it is I needed eventually - (or the name of what I needed) it is just in a timely fashion that doesn't happen.

And have you done a spybot and anti-virus scan? Firefox is OK and should be kept.

The first batch of baby quail showed up Wednesday. There are fifteen in this batch as near as I can count. They won't line up and stay still long enough to be sure. They have been back twice a day since. I saw another couple with a smaller batch crossing the drive way down by the highway this afternoon. There have been five pair around this spring. They seem to be late hatching this year.

bh-here are some instructions that even I can understand
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Setting_Your_Default_Browser

XoftSpySE runs on startup every couple of days and I downloaded AVG today which caused a lot of crashes while eliminating some trojan horses for a while but the computer seems stable now.

bh.. I agree you should use Firefox as your default browser (or Safari!). At my company, you get in big trouble if they catch you running Internet Explorer.

bc... I thought just Greeks threw change into a new car (or new home, which I guess is the origin of that tradition). Nice to know our Italian brothers (and sisters) are doing so, too. RD.. congrats on the new car!

Thanks again frostbiten. I printed those instructions. Will try to make Monzilla FoxFire my browser tomorrow morning when it is cooler and I haven't had any wine. Too tense now. I ran the well holding tank dry this afternoon watering in some Scotts Summer Guard to kill the bugs in the lawns. Now my wife is mad because she had just started the sheets in the washer when the water quit. Gotta wait overnight for the well to recharge.

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Good evening, friends. I have been so busy today. The grandsons are here, and I go from one thing to the other. Can't stay here long, have to get stuff ready for in the morning.

Multi-tasking is what I've been doing all week. And today. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Ignore me, I'm beat.

Slyness, we got some rain, in fact, a good bit. We so needed it, and need more. According to the weather person, we will get more.

I hope the weekend is being good for all. I'm sleepy, and cannot take advantage of the situation,maybe later.

Hello, dawainlan, and a bea c.

Question

Why is everyone beating up on Obama's wife? I haven't had a chance to see the news or read it. Just getting bits and pieces, but can't put it together. Can someone explain? Did she come outside without her clothes on or something?

I don't know when I'll be able to read the answer, but I would really like to know. Thanks.

They had all those anti-woman Hillary-centric tactics ready and then Hillary didn't get the nomination, Cassandra.

I like this Canadian view of the perversity that is the attention potential "first ladies" get. http://www.thestar.com/World/Columnist/article/447130

Cassandra, I think it's because she's black and a woman - and a Democrat. I think she's great.

I have confessed to watching a show on Fox News called Newswatch. A panel of 2 "liberal" media critics and 2 "conservative" media critics discusses recent news events. I had lost track of it for awhile, but caught it last week as I was folding laundry. Cal Thomas (shudder) was talking about Michelle Obama always looking like an angry black woman. That's how Fox News portrays her anyway. I sputtered at the TV, then changed the channel.

The Gene Pool was discussing this question. To me it's simple - the right wing is very, very scared the Democrats - black Democrats - will win and will do anything to keep that from happening. Sorry for being blunt, but that's what I think.

Thanks Martooni and Yello for the input on my computer question. I had to look up some of the acronyms but did know what CYA means. The reports I mentioned will be going to the Commonwealth of MA. I am assuming that because they are requiring us to email reports starting in January '09, that they will have prepared their email for the larger memory necessary. Of course assuming anything when governmental departments are involved is silly. I'll investigate the Zip files option and also the resolution thing. We could look into electronic signatures I guess. I've been given this problem to solve and I'd love to be able to do so.

I am so tired I can hardly type. I weeded and washed my car this afternoon, then we went out to get a quick bite to eat as neither of us had eaten since morning. Both daughters are under stress and I seem to spend a lot of time on the phone listening and counseling them. I told "S" that I feel like running away from home.

I agree with Mostly about Michelle Obama. She's one very sharp lady and that scares people. I think she's great!

Never heard of the coins in the car bit. But hey, with a 17 year old driver we need all the luck we can get.

And, although my Ion has far fewer miles, I fear that by any other criterion my son now has a way cooler car than I do.

I mean, he has a sunroof.

Very provocative article about the alleged lack of feminist outrage over attacks on Michelle Obama.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002209.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Mostly

That's what I was getting bits and pieces of, the "angry Black woman" thing, but did not know where or how that came in when talking about Michelle Obama. I've seen and been in the presence of "angry Black women" and Obama's wife is so far from that category, I can't fathom where that begin or how it even continues to live. I think Mrs. Obama is one sharp cookie, and gutsy(?) too. And Mrs. Clinton, in my book, as the old folks used to say, doesn't have any flies on her either.

These women are smart, and they're not the only ones. So much of the time, women get demonized because of the brain. I think I've said it here before, the scene in Tom Cruise's movie, and I can't think of the name of it now, but he's talking to a woman about three beings that can see the future, and he wants to know which one is little bit sharper than the other two. She chides him for his ignorance by saying, it's the female of course. Priceless.

And I don't mean any disrespect to the guys here, it's just that the smart ladies get beat up sometimes just because they are smart. We have a whole bunch of smart ladies on this boodle, and I believe they can hold their own in any crowd. You go, ladies.

The movie is Minority Report, not sure, but think that's it.

Time for the bed. I'm so tired. This is looking like a long week.

RD, I think it's nice your son has his own ride. I just want him to be safe, and I know you've had that talk with him. I was a nervous wreck when my kids started driving. Of course, they did not have their own car, they were using mine, which made the wait even longer and more nerve racking.

Night boodle. Sweet dreams.

Cassandra, that movie is "Minority Report." A black friend of mine found the movie disturbing because in the future, evidently, there weren't many African Americans in Washington DC...

Anyway, in the few interviews I have seen of Michelle Obama I have found her extremely intelligent and charmingly feisty. (Also, she looks really, really good in purple.)

And in regards to brutally smart women in general. Some of us fellows have been known to marry 'em.

Thanks for the concern about my son, Cassandra. Trust me, we have had the talk. And the other talk. And then we had the first talk again. And yet, as every parent of a teen knows, there is always The Fear.

This is very frustrating. I'm multitasking when I load or refresh the A-blog cuz it takes forever to come up. When it does come up the top WaPo menu appears vertically in bullets. The other info would just overlap each other. I haven't been able to load WaPo for a few days now. I'm sure the problem is caused my service provider messing around.

I used to line up 4 or 5 things to do when I'm out and get them all done. Nowadays, 2 are all I can manage, if I want them to be done well. It's sad.

Bright, successful in her own career, stable marriage, two gorgeous kids who are too young to be an embarrasment for under-age drinking, and worst of all tall, thin, fit and very attractive. Come on, what's not to hate?

That 9:57 was me. Took 4 whole minutes for the post to show.

Hey, Boodle. Missed you guys, but its been a VERY busy day. Our dinner party ended almost an hour ago, and it was veru nice, quite successful. Among other things, we ate out on the deck, and just after 7 or so the temp. dropped a bit and it was very nice. Even the mosquitoes stayed away.

And best of all, WE HAVE DIRECTTV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Installer guy arrived at 2, worked his butt off, and left at ten after 8. (My wife kept whispering to me maybe we should invite him to dinner or offer to put him up for the night.) Put in the dish bolted to the edge of the deck rather than on (and through) the roof, which was good. And put in five units, so we have it all over the joint.

O Joy!!!!!!!!!

I'd love to watch SNL tonight, but I know I'm never gonna make it (perhaps having to do with the two Coronas, the Black Russian the riesling and the glass of ice wine with dessert -- or maybe I'm just pooped. Whatever. BUT BECAUSE I HAVE DIRECT TV I CAN RECORD IT AND PLAY IT WHENEVER I WANT!!! Bwahahahahahahahaha!

(No, it doesn't take much to make a guy happy, does it?)

Of course, now I have to memorize a whole slew of new channel numbers. Food Network, which used to be 66, is now 231, I think.

CP, take care of those ribs. Sleep tight, Cassandra. Yoki, you back from Toronto yet?

Now, on the remote, if I press this button...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Howdy y'all. I'm popping in briefly. We're getting things together because tomorrow the Boy goes to camp. A whole week. This is his fourth year there. It is an Episcopal camp and the first year he learned to play blackjack. He was nine. He said this evening he thought he didn't want to go to camp this year and I told him not even to start with that. He'll love it - he's finally with the older group of kids.

RD, congratulations and trepidations on your son's car. Take comfort in the rabbits.

Mudge, we have DirectTV (no cable comes to our house) and like it. Just be prepared for the picture to break up during thunderstorms, other precipitation and on random occasions.

Frostbitten had it exactly right about Michelle Obama. Like Hillary, in many ways I find her more impressive than her husband. Also, Obama has been successful enough diffusing the worst of the racial attacks against him that they'll try making them at his wife instead.

Loved the Slate article.

Hi Rainforest, I don't think we've been on the boodle at the same time in a very long time. Kuching says hello!

Congrats Mudge, I'm sure your DirectTV will bring you much joy.

I'm calling it a night. Within striking distance of being able to get out of here tomorrow without leaving things in too much of a mess but the key will be getting up early with a fresh brain. On the good news front Frostdottir has decided to move to St. Paul with Mr. F. This is a big relief after the post break up angst over the soldier boyfriend.

Some folks have pointed out in previous Boodles (LIT, you out there?) that it's not unusual for GOP campaign teams to target Dem candidates' spouses for, er, *special attention*.

I'm not at all suprised that this is so with Michelle Obama, though it does seem to be firing up a little early.

Having said that, she seems like she'll be able to deal with the nastiness quite well.

TBG, glad you also sow loose change in recently purchased cars and houses - maybe it's a Med thing?

On another note, I was recently shopping for home appliances and cookware in Target and noticed something that I found interesting. There is a clear markeing strategy towards men in certain model lines of these items. When I thought about it, I started looking for the not-quite least expensive items with some flashy modern styling, cool names and colors with some interesting (but possibly not very utilitarian) features, and sure enough there were products I found myself attracted to despite consciously knowing that those particular items were not what I really needed.

I mean, who would pay a little extra for a basic vacuum cleaner because it's hot rod candy-apple red? Not me. I got the next level up from a different manufacturer, with a wider head, and an extra vacuum attachement and a hepa filter. But when it came right down to it, I couldn't locate one in basic black or blue, so I took one of the purple ones they had in stock. The fact that purple is one of my favorite colors is purely coincidental.

But I'm a sensible, conscentious shopper. Really.

bc

Ivansmom-- too right. She's after all not "half white", and neither is she of the generation where women had to come a distant second to men, as many of the baby boomers had to fight against.

Cassandra, I think we both know the real words they're trying to say when they're hatin' on Michelle. And it's the same words the 60's were all about ending forever.

A man who picks out his own vacuum cleaner. Be still my heart.

G'night folks. Ivansmom... let's get together next week for coffee while the kids are in camp.

TBG - Coffee!! Coffee?? How about a nice glass of wine? or perhaps a cup of tea. It'll be grand.

Time to drag the Boy to bed. Vaya con queso, fondue, and buenos gnocchis to all.

Here's an interesting story about poetry and justice:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002679.html
I heard about this on the Canadian radio show I listen to as I fall asleep - the name of which escapes me now.

I should read more poetry. I never seem to make time to do that, which is why I enjoy the times the Boodle turns to poetry.

Good morning, everyone. It's ridiculously early but I just got my son off to the airport for his first solo trip and I can't go back to sleep. He's a smart kid, but I find it very nerve wracking to send him off on a plane with connecting flights by himself. He's off to Boston for his Cards/Bosox game with my brothers. The Cards are not really doing all that well right now, but you never know...maybe they'll win. He's never been to Boston so they are all going to do some sightseeing tomorrow. I'm jealous, because Boston is one of my favorite cities.

Returned from a Deep Creek Lake, MD vacation with all the sibs and nieces and nephews. Lots of fun, wonderful place, but now I need a vacation from the vacation.

Haven't backboodled too much, but I hope everyone is well. Have a lovely Sunday.

Sunday already??? :-O

Amazing how just a little shopping and a short visit to a horse barn (well, I THOUGHT it was a short visit) eats up a weekend day. Hopefully today will go bettah.

Enjoy the DirecTV, 'Mudge! I'm starting to note some distinct digital signal "stuttering" on my cable... *SIGH*

I'm not voting for Michelle Obama, nor do I understand the intense criticism directed at her (well OK, perhaps I understand WHY the criticism is there, I just don't give it any weight). My vote is supposed to be based on the candidate, no? :-)

*waiting-for-the-caffeine-kick-and-looking-forward-to-another-delightful-summer-day Grover waves*

Hey Kim!!!! *extra Grover waves* :-)

I always love it when I get Grover waves!

I forgot to mention that my 'maters went wild in my absence. It looks like a bumper crop. Gonna stock up on bacon today!

Also, I went to see Indiana Jones on our rainy vacation day. All I can say is, DON'T!

Hey, You All

We had hail last night! Funny that.

The Slate article was right on Joel, although I must admit that I enjoy the Navagation lady's attempt to change course when I do, without losing her cool, we laugh at her.

Enjoy your DirecTV, Mudge.

About Michelle Obama, she is lovely and smart, but as Scotty sez, she won't be our President, and I just don't read the sour grape articles any more. In fact, I've stopped reading any opinion pieces about Obama or McCain, because they will not change my vote for Obama.

Clearly the Obamas don't mind showing their love/devotion to each other publicly and it is refreshing and natural and I like it!!!

Good to see that I'm not the only person up early...gotta get down the mountain in time for church. But Mr. T won't mind too much, since Carolina won again last night.

Good morning, then, to all who are up! Sounds like a lovely vacation, Kim. Mudge, Mr. T loovves his DirecTV, you will too. Scotty, you and the kid have a good time today.

'morning all. Watch out Scotty, with a house and a horse on your hands you are heading straight to the poor house.
It's raining, for a change. I shouldn't complain we had a beautiful day yesterday despite the forecast calling for rain.
I got my first dip in the pool yesterday, the water was at a very refreshing 73F. I should remember to put the cover on this week...
Off to a walk with the Very Large Puppy then a bit of TV watching as the French GP is on in about 45 minutes. I stopped by the vet to buy some meds for the old dog last week and I put the VLP on the doggy scale. 115lbs of bones and muscle (well, maybe 115 grams of brains.) Oy. He still has 30 lbs to go to match his daddy, so I don't think he is going as big as Diego is. though.

bc, you crack me up! But I must say that Target is my favorite discount store. In fact, the default graduation gift at our house is a Target gift card. That's upon the advice of Older Dottir and Third Dottir, who would know what graduates like. I bought five this spring.

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damned thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures
and instructions for dancing

It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know

-Gabriel

So totally on kit it's positively kittish.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/jobs/22shifting.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Morning all! Getting ready for the trip to camp. Also having lunch today with my niece and nephew-in-law at the Bavarian Chef in Madison, Va. Anyone ever been there?

VintageLady... we love hearing our nav system voice calmly tell us we're off route and to "make a u-turn, if possible." We think it would be fun to program it, let's say, for somewhere in Maine, but take off for Florida. I wonder if at some point, she'd just go ballistic?

And... Yes! Our votes for president are supposed to be for the candidate. But even if that weren't true... if we were voting for a First Lady, I think Michelle Obama should win that race vs Cindy McCain hands down!

(And I'll bet Michelle's husband has never called her a trollop or a "c-word." She also didn't start dating her husband while he was still married to someone else. )

Morning. Saw the poetry-as-penal-law piece, MF. Very good and inspiring. Gene Weingarten's piece is a eulogy of sorts. Happened to chat yesterday with unnamed WaPo writer who stayed in the game. (She/He) says that working without copy editors is incredibly stressful and equally troubling is the lost "layer" of editors and peer reviewers. Basically, this layer was interpreted as middle management and according to best corporate practices, axed with the blessings of many. She/He was stunned that I still get the paper version.

I tend toward optimisim, however, I am saddened about these changes. Worried, too.

Having been around the Words into Type game for years, I am thinking now about the sunset of

pressman
compositors
linotype magicians
mockup up/dummy geniuses
copy editors

and other allied inky folk.

Sigh. Especially when you consider the clarion call of copy editors every where:

Let's be
clear,
correct,
concise,
comprehensible, and
consistent

In other words, make the text

a) say what it means, and

b) mean what it says.

See Bill Walsh's excellent description of this stuff here:
http://theslot.com/copyeditors.html

Are we watching the death of expertise?

Ah yes, Walsh is (was?) as WaPo Wizard. Mudge likes the man and his work. 'Nuff said.

Good morning. After church the Boy, too, will be off to camp. I'm allowing him to take a guitar (not the good one) so he's extra excited. He'll come back knowing the chords to all those earnest, enthusiastic Christian camp songs. Ah well, at least he'll be playing.

I agree Michelle would win in a Michelle-Cindy match. In addition to TBG's summary, she also correctly attributes her recipes for publication. Perhaps that's just the lawyer in her: an attorney knows you always credit the source. The heiress might figure if she's used it, it is hers now.

Morning. Saw the poetry-as-penal-law piece, MF. Very good and inspiring. Gene Weingarten's piece is a eulogy of sorts. Happened to chat yesterday with unnamed WaPo writer who stayed in the game. (She/He) says that working without copy editors is incredibly stressful and equally troubling is the lost "layer" of editors and peer reviewers. Basically, this layer was interpreted as middle management and according to best corporate practices, axed with the blessings of many. She/He was stunned that I still get the paper version.

I tend toward optimisim, however, I am saddened about these changes. Worried, too.

Having been around the Words into Type game for years, I am thinking now about the sunset of

pressman
compositors
linotype magicians
mockup up/dummy geniuses
copy editors

and other allied inky folk.

Sigh. Especially when you consider the clarion call of copy editors every where:

Let's be
clear,
correct,
concise,
comprehensible, and
consistent

In other words, make the text

a) say what it means, and

b) mean what it says.

See Bill Walsh's excellent description of this stuff here:
http://theslot.com/copyeditors.html

Are we watching the death of expertise?

Ah yes, Walsh is (was?) as WaPo Wizard. Mudge likes the man and his work. 'Nuff said.

Good morning everybody. bc, I must say, you just never stuck me as the purple vacuum cleaner type, but then I remembered the gladiator gear. It fits.

Your point about marketing is so true. After all just think of how many homes there are where people cook twice a year but their stove is a stanless steel restaurant behemoth. A few photos in well choosen decor and kitchen magasines and voila, the makers of the massive stoves are laughing. We are so gullible.

Of course if a home I was buying had one, I would not be so foolish as to get rid of it.

CP, you are going to like this

http://www.slagtenhelligko.dk/

Danish is close kin (language wise) to middle English isn't it? and I am considering learning Danish, just to read this blog.

Mornin' all...

Just a quick drive-by. I caught the end of "Meet the Press" this morning. Brian Williams was hosting and announced that Tom Brokaw will be temporarily taking over the big chair for the elections.

Gotta run... the mechanic is waiting.

Peace out...

I keep insisting to my wife that when the GPS says to turn around, it does NOT mean that *I* am lost, just that the satellite doesn't know my shortcuts.

She's not buying it. She claims the GPS is not because I need it; it's just for her peace of mind.

Good morning all. Yes, bc, I'm still out here. I think though that I made those predictions at a BPH last winter, and not on the boodle. The primary season/Democratic candidate, the spouse issue, OPEC behavior/oil prices as the election nears (there's specificity in that thar language), and what good will be dumped into our market. Two down, two to go. I should have put money down on my predictions.

Short story...yesterday, I went kayaking with a friend (never a good idea to kayak alone). He's a larger man, tall, bigger build. Mountain man kinda guy. Around the first bend after putting in a man was fishing in a canoe. We said our Happy Soltices and continued on. When we were out of earshot, he said "On the river, I'm your man. Unless we come across someone you think looks fun, in which case, I'm your brother. The one awaiting trial." I thought how sweet, he's got this protect the princess thing going on (even though I'm no princess and there was no way he was going to pull my kayak down the hill to the river for me). We paddle on in silence, enjoying the beautiful scenery and melodic sounds of nature.

We round a bend and come across a group of people. A gaggle of 20-something women giggling and carrying on. You know the type -- no sunblock, no river shoes, but plenty of beer. Loud voices and even louder laughter.

Without missing a beat, he looked at me and said "You're my sister."

I about fell out of my boat laughing.

Have a happy day all.

Compared to Carla Bruni, Michelle Obama is a choir girl. Today's Maureen Dowd column gave me an excuse to do a lot of Googling of The First Madame. Michelle may not like wearing sleeves, but Carla tends to disdain proper foundation undergarments. Pictures (some NSFW) and commentary here:

http://dowdreport.blogspot.com/2008/06/crushing-on-carla.html

One Michelle Obama rumor I hope is true is that she doesn't wear pantyhose. Word!!

Signing off now to depart for Bemidji with a side trip to Ma Frostbitten's cousin's house to finish up the kitchen back splash. It is all installed save for measuring and cutting the last three pieces. She does not trust her utility kife and square skills and doesn't have the hand strength for the tricky bits anyway. However, why did I do this to myself? It's one thing to over-extend on my own DIY projects, but doing it for someone else with no time for a reward of wine and stinky cheese after is pure insanity.

Toodles for now. Thunderstorms may see me logged in later on Paul Bunyan's own wireless.

The no-pantyhose is more than a rumor. Straight from the horse's mouth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjMAOUweZfs&eurl=http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIjMAOUweZfs

The legwear discusssion starts about two minutes in. She says she hates them.

Michelle also plugs a store called Black Market/White House. Prophetic?

Michelle also claims to be 5'11". That makes her someone I can look up to.

Post copy editors are gone? That explains some of the squirrely-ness I've seen lately.

Congrats on the boy's new wheels, RD. You need another amendment to the agreement--yaknow, the one about Shiraz?

Now on-topic on multitasking. I found that my productivity improved tremendously when I turned off that "you've got new email...check it now!" sound. I'm still amazed at the people who come by, minutes after sending me an email, asking whether I've read it yet.

dr, that was a nice link to the Danish site. I can read Danish, but understanding it when it's spoken can be a nightmare -- they swallow everything. Swedish and in most cases Norwegian are pronounced the way they look, but Danish is definitely not (or, indeed, pronounced at all).

Propitiously enough, a friend and I just got back from IKEA in College Park (I waved, CP, but you may not have seen it) -- to stock up on Swedish food. Kalles Kaviar and sill (herring) and other assorted goodies for me -- quite lovely, actually. We got there right when it opened, got in and out in record time, and got home to Bethesda in just shy of 15 minutes. Great timing, that. Next, since she drove, I'm taking us out to lunch nearby.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, all.

Meatballs with lingonberry sauce. Mmmmmm.

Like that story, LiT.

After awful drought, we got here in our little spot, about 3". And believe me, the first 1" soaked in with no runoff at all. After watching some of that, I hunkered down and watched TV, having unhooked computer for prudence, and dog was curled up at my toes - she's uneasy with storms. At rain's end, I notice a flashing red light in the street. Get up and see a fireman's car blinking, and he tells me an autobody shop just a block away got flooded so fast the men had to call from inside for rescue. They are okay. The water had risen in my back yard up about 4' above creek level, as well.

Howdy all, Solstice was great. and I think that Yes,I did enjoy the longest day of the year to it's fullest extent,also enjoyed the evening and the night. A massive T-storm dumped about 2 inches of rain on us,complete with a spectacular light show.I think I would normaly have been terrified. But when I am with other people,storms are not so scary!!

Off to my Nephews graduation party,He reports to the AF Academy on Monday.

Have a Great day everyone.

Variable weather not just anecdotal speculation:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619175522.htm

'Morning, Boodle.

Just read Weingarten's piece about the lack of need for copy editors. ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002089.html )
I expect TBG is weeping. I know I am. I may even be projectile-weeping, I'm not sure.

Yes, as CP, notes, I am a fan of Bill Walsh, the man and his works. Hi, Cp, how's the ribs?

Mudge,

What was wrong with the Weingarten peice? It looked fine too me.

Ribs are two bones forward, one bone back. But the trajectory is upward. So, good so far.

DR, loved the reference to the Danish knitty/flowery gal. Look at this amazing image that I deeply frenvy:

www.minxterbloom.squarespace.com

References you, too, and your lichen-fancies. I knit a tomten sweater for CPBoyBaby long ago out of similar bark-coloured yarn.

LiT and GWE celebrated St. John's Eve appropriately. No bonfire for us as it was thunder and lightening.

FTblogger, I DID catch your wave from Ikea; that was me, scurrying past with some compact fluorescent bulbs.

Yes, I know, yello, *big sigh*

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Good afternoon, friends. LiT, I am so laughing at your story. That was really funny. And Frosti, I don't care for pantyhose either, but do wear them when absolutely necessary. As in church events, sometimes.

Ivansmom,what a great way to start the summer for the Boy. And a giant plus for you, too.

I start the Summer Fun Program tomorrow, and my grandsons will not be allowed to join me. I thought I might be able to take them with me, but the director says no. I'm still tired from this week, but must jump into the week coming up. We made Sunday school and church this morning with lots of rushing. I felt as if I was running in place. Not a great feeling. Now just sleepy.

I do hope everyone's weekend is going good. So far, mine has been exactly what I thought it would be, busy. It is hot and muggy here, and looks like more rain, and all that's good.

Slyness, Mudge(so glad you got all the channels), Scotty, Martooni, and all, good day to you.*waving*

I hope I can slip a nap in. I don't think these guys would notice any change. I want to read, but know that's a quick way to fall asleep. Bye,bye, for now.

I think I saw all 57 mistakes, and a couple more. Et tu, Mudgus?

The display of computer-generated mistakes was hysterical; one major reason I rarely use computer features unless I need some fresh umbrage to wake me up enough to copyedit better.

Of course, that lack of copyediting help sure does show in my boodlin'.

IMO, pants-dresses are a good way to avoid the pantyhose issue, and also can be quite cool in summer as well. Pantsuits also are a good defense against ever wearing pantyhose.

Otherwise, it's a lot of legwork to go pantyhose-free, especially for some women (ingrown hair is not a humorous subject). There's always electolysis, if you can afford the price tag.

I think if she looks good without pantyhose, go her.

Oh, oh, CP, dr, we ought to invite your Danish blogger to the Boodle! She'd fit right in - gardening, knitting, sign language interpreting, graphic designing:
http://www.liselotte.org/illuoversigt.htm
She writes beautifully in English too. 60 Minutes had a story recently about Danes being the happiest people in the world. Has to do with setting realistic expectations. Scandinavia is high on my list of places to visit - not sure I ever will. (Mr Ml watches the Travel Channel so he doesn't have to actually travel!)

CP, your latest blog entries are gorgeous. My daylillies are starting to bloom - you have some lovely ones. My hollyhocks always have rust - I love the dark, almost black ones that Tom Jefferson grew.

Oh, yes, I love that store, Black Market/White House. On Friday I had lunch with a friend and stood outside the window looking at the beautiful clothes. It is one of those places where I've NEVER seen a tacky outfit on display.

I do like Mrs. Obama. She smiles. It is obvious she's smart, but it is the smile that gets me. You can see it every time she looks at her husband.

So whatever bad things anyone has to say about her, I ignore.

Mrs. McCain, on the other hand, well, I guess, if there is nothing good to say it is better to say nothing.

Just a word of caution to the White House housekeeping team, if she makes it there: Count the flatware after every meal.

I've found a good way to avoid the pantyhose issue is not to buy any. They must be a man-made invention...what woman thinks they're comfortable? Or do anything other than provide a scar-free view of legs? (Scars show you've been living, and weren't put in a glass box for aesthetic purposes).
Women's legs are beautiful whether short or long, thin or muscular, straight or bowed. Why shoot for a look that's clearly not natural?
But that's just my opinion. Yours may differ.

LIT, I suppose you did make those predictions at a BPH last year - still, they are well-founded, and seem to be coming to pass, aren't they? What do you think is next - them going after Obama's mother? [laughing ruefully here...]

If find a bookie willing to take those bets, put me down for $100, will ya?

I'd add that it's still reasonable to look for an election-season spoiler as my friend pointed out. Look at all the fuss over Barr lately, and if he put together a coalition with the right candidate (mebbe a Dem?), things could get quite interesting...

Also, that river story was quite funny -- your friend has a nice sense of comic timing.

I'm tired - been moving myself to my new House of c this weekend, and though I'm not completely done, I'm pretty much in. And that's a good thing. Only eleventy billion things left to do... one at a time, of course.

I celebrated the solstice with a couple of glasses of wine and some quality time on my deck. Lovely day, lovely evening.

Tonight should be good, too.

bc

Oh my. Here's a story about McCain's first wife.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1024927/The-wife-John-McCain-callously-left-behind.html

Her story isn't too unusual. Severe disability or illness does end many marriages, never mind the vows "for better of worse, through sickness and health." Remember Newt Gingrich and his first wife?

Wilbrod, thanks for the link.

I have to wonder what McCain will say about marriage when he is up in arms against same-sex marriage. If marriage is so sacred, what did he do? At 40, he can hardly say it was all a youthful indiscretion.

I seem to remember hearing that several NFL players wore pantyhose on the field during cold weather conditions. Joe Namath comes to mind.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Speaking of which...

Little Bean put a tutu on her Ken doll today (she thought it was funny and so did I). But boy was it hard for me not to go overboard on the "Birdcage" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" references. Since I was playing with her and her little doll friends, I limited myself to a lisp for Ken's voice and calling the Barbies "girlfriend".

She didn't get it, but Mrs. M did. She was particularly perturbed when I started singing "It's Raining Men" and promptly took Ken (who was wearing a flowered bathrobe over his tutu and was donning a fluffy-feathery hat) right out of my hands and gave me the dirtiest look of the week.

I then had to remind her that of all of my friends (in real life, anyway), eight out of ten of them are "alternative lifestyle" types and nine of ten of that subset would have been rolling around laughing their butts off and offering up even more stereotypical lines for Ken.

They would have been appalled at the shoe/purse combinations Little Miss Bean was coming up with, but still...

Joe Namath had disturbingly good legs in that pantyhose ad. Yes, pantyhose under socks and pants can be a good insulator; learned that in backpacking class.

Unfortunately my brother wasn't very receptive to the pantyhose tip when he was headed out to do some icefishing.

My roommate in college bought himself the extended dance remix EP of "It's Raining Men" his junior year. It wasn't a big enough clue.

He joined the softball team for the Pharr Street Library bar. I read in the paper that they won the Atlanta Gay League championship. I started to get suspicious.

He broke up with his girlfriend and our other roommate said he was going to live in the unairconditioned dorms next to the housing project instead of renewing the lease on our apartment. Then I knew something was up.

Some people, including it seems Little Bean's Barbies, can stay in denial for a long, long time.

This hello brought to you by the good members of the Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative and their free wireless at the Bemidji airport. Looks like we'll be taking off on time but I hope to back boodle tonight to the answer to this query.

Has anyone had the "thermal limiter" fail on a clothes dryer? It was purchased new in October 2005 and according to the troubleshooting chart in the owner's manual, if the cord is plugged in (and not disconnected from the terminals at the dryer itself) and the house circuit breakers have not tripped, the cause of not turning on is a "tripped thermal limiter" and I must call a technician. Baaaaaah. It's not the cost of the repair I fear, it's the staying at home for a whole day to wait for the repair dude. Advice and commiserations both welcome and perhaps the second day when he/she does not have all the needed parts. If the limiter is merely tripped, not toast, couldn't a generally handy and nearly fearless DIYer give it a go?

I await the wisdom of the boodle.

CP-I have blue, gorgeous blue, in the form of waist high Jacob's Ladder, blooming with reckless abandon. I tried to get some good pictures to share but the sun was too bright and washed all the color out. Must try again and have the patience to wait for twilight. The mosquitoes are so vicious this year, some having laid in wait in a juvenile state for 2 drought years, that just being outside at twilight is a challenge.

It's not so much "denial", yello, but more of a "can I make fun of you if I let you make fun of me" thing.

What gets me is that many straight people seem to get more upset about jokes and gaffs that tease gays than gays do themselves. At least in my experience.

Now when it gets ugly and is no longer just in jest, that's a whole different story.

My Mom and I used to have breakfast every morning at a local restaurant with a couple of my "alt" friends and I have to say we never laughed harder in our lives. Those guys could have had their own show on Comedy Central (or A&E). Poking fun at each other, at the gay "community", the straight "community", how the two "communities" interact ... no sacred cows and no holds barred.

Very sadly, one of those friends died of AIDS several years ago. The other is AWOL... I've tried to track him down, but even with the Net, no luck.

One thing I learned from hanging out with my "alt" friends is that the majority of them have very thick skin and a very good sense of humor. And the teasing and stereotypical jokes flow both ways.

Call it bi-teasing.

All I know is I miss those guys and they'd probably be laughing *their* butts off hearing I make fairy doors for a living.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of pantyhose. I don't think that they make legs look any better than those same legs look naturally.

And they are difficult to put on, uncomfortable to wear, and tough to remove quickly.

I do have some experience in the matter.

Makes no difference to me at all if Michelle Obama wears pantyhose or not - even to formal WH events. She's an attractive, classy woman, hose or not.

bc

Hi all... Let me tell you that Bavarian Chef is a fabulous restaurant! We had a great lunch (really linner) with my niece, her husband and some friends of theirs. The food is pure German and one friend's co-worker who is from Germany says its the most authentic German food she's ever had in the US.

I recommend it highly, but be prepared to be full. German food isn't known for its light fare. The entrees were great, the presentation was gorgeous and the side dishes were delicious. If you have five or more at your table, they bring all the sides served family style. So you don't have to decide between the red cabbage and the potato dumplings.

Where is it, you ask? On Route 29 just a few miles beyond the town of Madison, Va., probably a couple hours from DC and about a half hour this side of Charlottesville.

On our way home, we stopped at the grocery store and I saw this magazine cover; of course I thought of the Boodle...

http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obama-michelle-is-an-extraordinary-mother

Down with pantyhose!

I think its on its way out. The next generation of women won't wear them at all. I haven't put on a pair in at least 10 years.

I don't think I have any pantyhose that fit anymore. It's been that long since I've worn any. If I have to wear hose, I generally have knee-highs on under my slacks.

I'm old enough to remember when pantyhose were the great new innovation. Once upon a time, many moons ago, I had a girdle with the clips to hold regular hose up. This was about the time miniskirts came in, so it was a challenge to get hose long enough so that the tops didn't show.

We dressed up to go to school - pants for girls were first allowed the year I was a high school senior. We all had to be ladylike and sit properly so we didn't show off parts that should be hidden. In that era, pantyhose were wonderful. Expensive, but wonderful.

I remember those hose too, slyness! Yes, pantyhose were an improvement over those. I especially liked the black net kind.

I had a prof at Georgetown who insisted that women wear dresses to his class, so I didn't get away from dress codes even in college. I seem to remember a couple of us talked to the dean about it, but got nowhere. The outrage!

Hey, gang.

I can't believe you guys are still discussing panyhose. Especially Michelle Obama's.

A good day today: went across the street to our neighbor's and swam in their pool for two hours, until I wa nice and pruney. Then instead of cooking, we got carryout from our favorite local Chinese place, Szechuan Garden. (So now I also have leftover crispy beef and friend rice for lunch tomorrow.

And then around dusk (actually a premature duck) started hearing thunder, and it is now raining, though nothing severe. Just enough to cool off everything.

Have my evening all planned out for myself: 60 minutes, then "Ocean's 13" on HBO, then bed. May also get some writing in, I dunno.

Chatting with my neighbor this afternoon, he mentioined they'd been watching "The Departed" on Comcast one night several weeks ago, and their cable crapped out with about 20 minutes left, so they have NO idea how it ends. I said, "Oh, man. I can't tell you the ending, but I'll loan you our DVD of it so you can see how it ends." It had been driving him and his wife crazy waiting for one of the channels to re-run it.

The *&^%$# Verizon Internet modem keeps resetting and giving me fits, so if I'm silent this evening that's why. So I'll say goodnight (buenos gnocchis) now, just in case.

Mostly, I never even owned a pair of jeans till I was in high school. I was a sophomore, IIRC, when I went uptown to Belk's and bought my first pair, on my own. My mother made all my clothes till I was in college. She was really talented, so I certainly never minded. This was before brands and designer labels, of course.

Nothing worse than a premature duck.

After I watched the last scene of "The Departed" I finally got the name.

"We Used To Know"

Whenever I get to feel this way,
try to find new words to say,
I think about the bad old days
we used to know.

Nights of winter turn me cold --
fears of dying, getting old.
We ran the race and the race was won
by running slowly.

Could be soon we'll cease to sound,
slowly upstairs, faster down.
Then to revisit stony grounds,
we used to know.

Remembering mornings, shillings spent,
made no sense to leave the bed.
The bad old days they came and went
giving way to fruitful years.

Saving up the birds in hand
while in the bush the others land.
Take what we can before the man
says it's time to go.

Each to his own way I'll go mine.
Best of luck with what you find.
But for your own sake remember times
we used to know.

I.Anderson

Obama has a nice ad running now on "60 Minutes."

Oh. My. There appear to be diminutive young women without secondary sexual characteristics prancing about in sparkly outfits and bending themselves into unnatural positions. To music.
Clearly, The Olympics are drawing nigh.

oH carp. did i boOo again.

Um, Mudge, what's "friend rice"? Makes me kinda nervous in advance of the global BPH in October (I may have to sit at a different table). . . .

I think the rice is a friend of the premature duck.

OK, I have to tell you that my heart is breaking, at least a bit. Morgan Tsvangirai officially withdrew from the Zimbabwean "runoff" election, because Mugabe had made it clear that he was prepared to use as much force as necessary to maintain power.

I know it's not the first time, and I know that eventually this, too, shall pass. I know that it was the wisest, most compassionate move that Tsvangirai could make. But, damn it, I hate it!

Yeah, me too, Bob. I've got a dear friend who is working for an NGO in Harare (he's originally from Tanzania). He's got two more years to go on a three-year contract. He says it's simply, indescribably miserable there. I was sad, yet very understanding, that Tsvangirai decided to withdraw. He's a treasure, and has shown himself to be by that move. Damn! I hate it, too. If only Zimbabwe had oil . . . .

Mugabe has plenty of historical backing, after all!

"We shed a lot of blood for this country. We are not going to give up our country for a mere X on a ballot. How can a ballpoint pen fight with a gun?" - Robert Mugabe, June 15, 2008

"The Pope! How many divisions has he got?" - Josef Stalin, May 1935

One can only hope that the answer eventually becomes evident.

Sorry - We hold ourselves to a higher standard here. I should have footnoted!

Stalin - http://www.bartleby.com/66/30/55130.html

Mugabe - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/16/AR2008061600898.html

[Many more sources for the attributions are available in both cases]

TBG said: "Down with pantyhose!"

Better her than me. My reputation is dicey enough as it is around here.

Tell that duck no Peking.

yello - so, you figger a weak pun (or two) will disguise your sins?

Yellojkt - Obviously, if you weren't such an ignorantly misogynistic blob of manflesh, you'd have given a bit of history about the origin of pantyhose as a money-grab by the chemical industry ( http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blpantyhose.htm ) at the expense of women who were coerced into a creepy man-driven view of proper female body shapes.

Further, I suspect that your use of the term "dicey" is somehow related to your assumption that women should be in the kitchen, a-choppin' away at the ingredients for your dinner.

Bad, bad man!

My apologies. The previous post was intended to include numerous lengthy quotations, as well as several fascinating genealogical threads which eventually connected yellojkt to myself, by way of Jane Russell & the Marquis de Sade.

I'm a bit off my game, having survived the horrendous 15 minutes of thunderstorms here, which surely must have dropped at LEAST a third of an inch of rain upon my carefully dried deck, and slightly diluted the Diet Coke which I'd inadvertently left behind.

Bob... this has got to be one of the strangest paragraphs I've ever come across; I found it in your pantyhose link...


Julie Newmar, a living Hollywood film and television legend is an inventor in her own right. The former Cat Woman patented ultra-sheer, ultra-snug pantyhose. Known for her work in films such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Slaves of Babylon, Newmar has also appeared recently in Fox Television's Melrose Place and the hit feature-film "To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Love Julie Newmar."

"Ignorantly misogynistic blob of manflesh" is available as a Boodle handle. I expect bidding to be heavy.

Back from the graduaton party and those young kids sure know how the wear out their Uncle, I got beaned by the shuttlecock a couple of times,spiked on by the volleyball. And here is a shocker, 46 is just too old for the trampoline. But I did have a blast.

Bc, congrats on your new place.

As for stockings, I never really do care much for them and always thought it was more for warmth then comfort.

Oh but I do like the line from the Van Halen song"I like the way the line runs up the back of her stockings"

I do what I can to keep the conversation alive, you know?

Watching "Home of the Brave." I have conclusively decided (after much careful thought, soul-searching and intensive study) that I am in love with Jessica Biel's nose. Out at the very tip, there's this sudden upswing. And viewed from dead ahead, also out at the tip, but a tad above the up-slope, there is a vertical crease in it, right down the middle. Most noses don't have either of these features.

Also, it is quite difficult to tell which lip is more attractive, the upper or the lower. I generally tend toward lowers, but she is making me re-think the entire question of uppers.

Just sayin'. (We writers are wont to observe these things, and sometimes obsess on them. Occupational hazard.)

Hi all.

Boodling from my (new to me) deck, watching the sun go down.

I'd heard that Tsvangirai was withdrawing from the runoff earlier today and was disappointed that things had gone that far in Zimbabwe. Not surprised, but disappointed.

Good night, Boodle.

bc

'Mudge - Wow! I may have to go back to the classics to find a more eloquent exposition of appreciation for fine facial features.

Don't press me. My goose is cooked already. You might even say I'm hosed.

Adhesively connected, mechanically fastened with a helical inclined plane, and covered with pigmented inks.

yello - Yuk, yuk!

Mugabe and our ex-PM were buddies (birds of the same feather flock together). Our ex-PM had wanted to cling to power. Luckily, his strategies didn't work and had to resign. We are fortunate that our country didn't go the way Zimbabwe went as far as violence goes. I may sound bitter but I think both men should be hung by their thumbs for the damages they have done to their respective countries.

Stockings: I think women's legs look nicer in stockings. I don't wear stockings. It's hot and humid here! A lot of women (including me) do wear stockings in formal functions (an influence from the West).

bc... I'm throwing virtual loose change into your new home!

G'night boodle.

I get the impression that Zimbabwe is mostly in the hands of the military--Mugabe is sort of a facade for his own regime.

Which sounds faintly like Cuba, where I assume the military will persist after Raul.

Omni - It's probably just because I'm old enough to remember Frank & Nancy (incestuously) singing it, but I do get a kick out of "Somethin' Stupid"

On the other hand, something about the Kidman/Williams video became less charming after the halfway point. Oh, well.

Cassandra - It ain't about chicks, and it ain't about colored folks. Ask John Kerry if he thought that he was treated gently during the last election cycle, or Bill Clinton if he thought that he got much slack (as the white male spouse of a candidate) during this one.

Actually, I have a terrible sinking feeling that it's primarily about degrees of Baconity and/or Loomisity.

omni, that's one of my favorite Tull songs. What brought that on? I heard somewhere (maybe at the Tull concert last year?) that that song inspired the Eagles' Hotel California...the music, not the words...I never would have made that connection.

Oh no, George Carlin died:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062300047.html?hpid=moreheadlines

He was going to be the Mark Twain honoree this year. Wonder what happens now?

That's a terribly sad way to start the week, mostly... :-(((

And now, in memorium, the Wirty Dird Filter version of the Seven Words:

Shiitake
Piston
Ford
Countach
Corksticker
Motherforder
Tittle

I bet even that doesn't make it through the Filter.

*SIGH*

*Attracting-Attention-To-Yourself-while-finding-A-Place-For-My-Stuff Grover waves*

He might accept that prize- in an urn.

Bad taste, I know, but I could just see Carlin writing that one in his will. They do award the prize posthumously, so I expect it will still occur, with perhaps his daughter attending on his behalf.

Such a sad start to the day. George Carlin was my first exposure to adult humor (as opposed to that in my dad's Reader's Digest). My brother bought the "Class Clown" album, and we'd listen to it for hours on end. Of course, Dad was none too happy when I tried out my new vocabulary.

Does Corksticker rhyme with delores? I'm a little lost on the C's there, never having seen Carlin's routine.

It actually rhymes with pocktucker, Wilbrod. *SIGH*

Mornin'...

Pocktucker? Scotty... I think you may have coined a new word there. May I borrow it? With a six year old on the loose here, I'm always looking for new ways to express my displeasure over whacking a thumb with a hammer that doesn't invoke the wrath of Mrs. M or Child Services.

Most of the time I end up sounding like that dude in Johnny Dangerously... "you farging icehole!"... "bastages!"

Or that dog in the cartoons (was it "Precious Pup"?) who just muttered obscenities... "razzrmutherfrazzinather" or something like that.

Very sad, though, to lose Carlin. Great stand-up guy. His TV series work wasn't so good, but a great stand-up guy.

Other than the "seven words" bit, I always liked his take on airplanes having "near misses"... "shouldn't that be a near HIT?".

Peace out...

'Morning, Boodle. Wow, Scotty, you're *really* up early.

Very, very sad to hear about George Carlin, He was a particular favorite of mine, ever since he did his first "newscast" waaaaaaaaaaay back when, featuring my still-alltime-favorite weatherman, Al Sleet, who told the audience the wind was coming from the window, the news report ("a freak accident" involving three freaks in a Volkswagen bus in a collision with two freaks in a" whatever, vehicle [sorry, Martooni, but that joke always makes me think of you, but in a good way, of course]), and, of course, that wonderful, still unbeaten sportscast, with the scores 10, 17, 34, 6, 8, and a partial score, 2.

Just last week the Kennedy Center announced it was going to give him the Mark Twain prize in November, to which Carlin replied, "Thank you, Mr. Twain. Have your people call my people."

I'm sure toddlers devoted to Thomas the Tank Engine and Shining Time Station will be devastated, and will especially miss his drug and sex humor. At least I hope so.

OK, yello (I know you're lurking), Cassandra, let's go.

Kinda an SCC: Al Sleet, the Hipy-Dippy Weatherman.

tater tits

No offense taken, Mudge. Me, myself and I would qualify for three freaks in a VW Bus (if I still had one... dang... I miss the old girl).

In memory of George Carlin, I'm going to prick my finger, but not vice versa. I saw a copy of Brain Droppings at the Daedalus Books booth at HonFest last week, but let it pass.

So it goes.

Howie Kurtz quotes Maureen Dowd as saying that he is "a charter member of the elite."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062202241.html?hpid=topnews

He then goes on to detail the ways the Obamas are trying to portray themselves as plain folks that just happen to have Harvard Law Degrees. After all, we know a few plain folks with Harvard degrees right here in the boodle.

And besides, Dowd went on to say "As Colbert pointed out, the other wonky Ivy League lawyer in the primary just knows how to condescend better." (The column was written on April 16 when there was another wonky Ivy League lawyer still in the race.) Looks like Barack and Michelle are taking advanced coursework in condescending.

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Good morning, friends. I'm here, Mudge, just dragging bad. I've found the water, now time to find the clothes. And if your thoughts went the way of, you know what, it is not pretty. Not at all. I often wonder where my good body went, and how did I get this one I have. Somebody stole it, the good one, and left me with this. No, that isn't what happen. I know, I know, the sweet fairy kidnapped the good body while I was asleep. That's it. Whew, for a minute there I panicked. I'm in fine form this morning, can't you tell?

Slyness, Martooni, Scotty, good, good, Monday morning, and to all. *waving*

I'm on the way, dressed that is, to the Center for the Summer Fun Program. I'm hoping I can crank out a smile before getting there. I am still so sleepy. I don't want to jinx the kids' fun before we even get started.

I read the piece about George Carlin. I used to watch him every now and then on HBO. He loved living on the edge in his comedy routine. The last show I remember watching was the routine where he dished God, and seem to be waiting for God to strike him.

Enjoy your day, despite the fact that it is Monday. We've had some rain here, and it is cloudy outside and muggy. I am not complaining one bit.

And the Glaucoma Test Pilot Acrobatic Team should fire up some Toledo Window Box and do a Lost Dude flyby.

R.I.P. George Carlin. I remember seeing him years ago at a theater in Boston. The minute the lights went down, the glaucoma test pilots lit up. Great show. His album Class Clown was a favorite of mine for years.

Can't believe the weekend is over so fast. Daughter #2's house is clean but mine is not. Gotta find some time this week to clean up the yellow pollen dust that is pretty much everywhere here. I'm hopeful that #1 can do a bit more for her sister now that school is out 'cause I really don't think I can keep up this pace all summer.

The girlfriend and I were lucky enough to score some seats in the nose bleed section of the opera at the National Arts Centre for a Carlin performance. Just before the show started a well dressed 50ish woman and a 13-14 y.o. girl sat down in front of us. I figured the woman remembered Carlin from his Ed Sullivan, "If the Indians had Sargents", days so I wondered how well she knew his most recent material(Class Clown had just been released). They lasted about 20 minutes.

Morning all, and happy Monday. I was up an hour early this morning and have made the trip to the local airport. Second dottir is now on her way to Houston for training in the new job. I hope it works out for her.

So we get to the airport at 6:15 ayem, and the crowd at departures is such that I know it will take 10-15 minutes to navigate the crush. Instead, I went to the lower level and let her off at arrivals. Much quicker to do that and let her take the escalator upstairs. Sheesh, what is this about air travel being down?

Well, 'Mudge, when NukeSpawn volunteers to help NukeSpouse out at the shop before the crack of dawn, I can't very well stay in bed, now can I?

And anyone in gubmint can appreciate one of Carlin's finest phrases (made Wirty Dird Filter-appropriate):

Mongolian flustercluck!!

*SIGH*

Good morning to you all, and slyness, it seems to me that Dulles is always the most crowded on Sunday night and early Monday morning with business departures.

Scotty, you do that so well! I wonder if George Carlin ever read James Joyce? ;-) In an effort to improve my summer reading I checked out A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses from our Oakton Library last week. Now, these volumes were not the dogeared books I am used to, but nicely bound with the ribbon in the center as a bookmark kind. Nice and fresh. After struggling through about two thirds of "Portrait", I turned to the second novel, and after an hour or two, had to admit to myself that the best thing I could do with these classics was to take them back to the library for someone else to enjoy and check out something else from this list

http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html

Now, I've read and enjoyed many of these books and am wondering if Virginia Woolf should be my next challenge?

Good morning, all.

I, too, am saddened by George Carlin's passing. I remember hanging in a friend's basement (back in the day, of course), trying to see how fast we could say those Seven Words, and letting the littler kids listen to the "Cute Little F@rts" bit. When the parents weren't around, of course.

On the note of observational humor, I noticed that all of my new neighbors in the townhouse complex appear to be quite healthy. After living there for a few days, I believe I know why.

It's the stairs.

Living the landing lifestyle, up and down three flights of stairs all day every day for just a few days, I now have shin splints on my right leg, and I'm feeling like I just staggered off of a Stairmaster.

But my calves and thighs look *great*, no pantyhose needed (though they could use a shave).

bc

Carlin fit into that paradigm we talked about earlier. He used foul language to enhance the power of his work. He didn't use his work as an excuse to spout foul language, as many lesser "comics" have.

The true genius of Carlin becomes evident when it is noted that he was just as funny (if not more) when he worked clean as when he went blue. His discourse on leftovers ranks as one of my favorite bits ever.

And he was a far better Mr. Conductor than Ringo ever was.

Rest in Peace, G. Carlin. No question he had a significant effect on the culture, and it's nice that he lived a relatively long life, compared to Lenny Bruce, for example, whose path he could easily have followed. Maybe we have marijuana to thank for that.

Multitasking, I know the perils firsthand. This weekend I pried myself away from the computer monitor for the sake of a visiting 12-year-old relative--she normally lives in a big house in Bethesda, so our little subtropical homestead is a real experience for her. She went to the park, to the beach, to church, and to the arts & crafts store. We played cards and read books. Due to this improved lifestyle, I was able to finish reading not one but two books, the boodle-recommended "God's Secretaries" and Carl Hiaasen's golf book, "Downhill Lie." I have to work now but I will report on these two books, either here or on my blog, at some point today/tonight.

Happy Monday to all...

Why BC, you are living the Euro-lifestyle. Good health, one step at a time.

DR, ML, the Danish honorary boodler posted a comment on my gardening blog saying I can keep her image up. Bacon-ish analysis:

DR (Canada) to CP (USA) to Danish Lady (Denmark): cool. Euro in a digital way.

Very neato CP.

I'll miss George Carlin. A true American original.

bc, you crack me up. May the shin splints fade away, never to return!

Kber, I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts about God's Secretaries. I wish he had gone into much greater depth, but my guess is that the historical detail simply isn't there.

Cassandra, I'm betting you found your smile.

VL, last night I was looking at a catalog of college courses on CD and DVD and noted the list of authors in the greatest literature course. The (only) two women were Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf. I've not read Woolf, so I'll look forward to hearing what you have to say about her. OTOH, I've read a fair amount of Dorothy Sayers, who was a contemporary of Woolf, and love her stuff.

NYT front page.
"George Carlin, Splenetic Comedian, Dies at 71"

When contacted Bobo Lipschitz, the owner of 71, said, "I don't know from spleen, I heard he had a bum ticker."

"Anyone can have bad breath Madge, but you could knock a buzzard off a sh_t-wagon"
-GC
Ah, sweet nostalgia.

Dear Miss Vintage: before you take "Ulysses" back to the library, please read the last page or two of it. You don't need to know "where to begin" in that next-to-last page, just start pretty near anywhere. This entire last section is the famous, the monumental, the earth-shaking, never-to-be-forgotten "Molly Bloom's soliloquy." This entire "chapter" is only 8 sentences long and contains only two periods (and no other punctuation) after the fourth and 8th "sentences." Never mind that the rest of the book is found by most people to be unreadable; this last section is one of the greastest passages ever written. It is an "interior monologue" that occurs when Molly, the physical, passionate but unfaithful wife of the "hero," Leopold Bloom [viz. and q.v., Leo Bloom in "The Producers"], takes him into her bed after 10 years of abstinence. Here is the famous ending of the 8th sentence: "...I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my bre@sts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes."

Mo MoDo, I am distressed that you seem to think the Obamas are "condescending."

I remember waaaaaaay long ago late one Saturday night (during my bachelorhood) when I was trolling through the TV channels and at 11:30 there was this new, weird variety show called "NBC's Saturday Night" that was being hosted by George Carlin. Well, that was all I needed to know to stick around to watch it. Janis Ian was the musical guest. The next week it had a different host, Paul Simon, and that show was nearly all musical stuff. Like a musical review. Little did anyone know...

Thanks, slyness.

Something that occurred to me - in order to keep our electric devices charged, we *could* develop Personal Generator devices that generate electricity from our personal loco-motion (ahem). As much as taking rod or cable operated motion from our shoes up the back of our legs to a small flywheel generator (mounted on a Utility Belt or SciTim Vest O' Wonders) seems the most efficient, I would think that a piezoelectic system would be more popular due to a smaller size and weight.

This would also have the side benefit of being "greener" by encouraging people to walk in order to Stay Connected, and drive down people's electric bills, not to mention the load on power grids everywhere.

I'm also considering prototyping a windmill generator hat as a high-end option for the techno-elite.

Hats with propellers are not for everyone, nor should they be.

bc

bc, as I recollect, when I was a kid and wore corduroys pretty often, I seem to remember generating quite a lot of static electricity. I don't remember putting it to any sort of good use, though (personal devices such as IPods, cellphones, transistor radios smaller than a video cassette, etc., not being invented yet). (I'm not sure airplanes were invented yet, at that time.) Is this what you had in mind, and something we should consider?

SCC: "piezoelectric."

I think.

Too many other SCCs to address, but as the Jackson Pollock of the English Language (TM), I am allowed certian artistic freedoms, am I not?

bc

This sock puppetry thing is hard. Not all my opinions are my own. I have to bow to the wisdom of Her Dowdness on most matters. Here is a more complete excerpt from that April 16 column:

"What turns off voters is the detached egghead quality that they tend to equate with a wimpiness, wordiness and a lack of action -- the same quality that got the professorial and superior Adlai Stevenson mocked by critics as Adelaide."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/opinion/16dowd.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

I liked that column because I found seven different movie references in it, pretty much a Dowd record.

http://dowdreport.blogspot.com/2008/04/bitter-barack-breakup.html

yes
yes
yes yes
yesyesyes
YesYesYes
YESYESYES

YESSSSSSSS!

(one week too late for Bloomsday)

A perfect storm? Firestorm, yes.

The Texas Governor's Mansion went up in flames earlier this month is Austin, while being renovated. Arson, without doubt--caught on video. Why did it happen?

Seven of 20 security cameras were broken.

An infrared beam security system was being repaired. Shortly after the fire took place, our paper reported, "The system has been inoperative for at least four weeks despite complaints by some Department of Public Safety troopers that it could imperil mansion security. When it was working, a system beaming infrared rays would trigger an alarm alerting state troopers in a carriage house behind the mansion if an intruder had scaled a wall and reached the mansion grounds."

The Dallas Morning News has a slightly different telling in its reporting on June 19: Motion detectors weren't engaged, because officers were under the false impression that they didn't work while the mansion was undergoing repairs. However, it still would have triggered an alarm if the trooper had known how to engage it.

The trooper on duty was at a computer workstation, not in front of the surveillance camera console, when the fire was set. That's not against the rules, the Dallas Morning News reported, and it's unclear whether it contributed to a delay in noticing the blaze.

It's clear that the state trooper failed to see video images of an intruder throwing an incendiary device on the mansion's front porch. The Dallas Morning News noted that a single, undertrained trooper who had already worked an eight-hour shift at an Austin history museum was on duty when an arsonist set the predawn fire that nearly gutted the 152-year-old building.

There should have been more personnel with the almost half the security cameras not working and the infrared beam inactivated, a second set of eyes, an official said.

Dallas Morning News also reported that when the Perrys moved into an Austin-area rental home for the duration of the $10 million renovation, he said, their security detail moved with them. The few officers left at the mansion had little experience working with the alarm systems and security surveillance, weren't trained in making proper rounds, and expressed a need for backup, he said. They didn't receive it.

Now, a recently formed Texas Department of Public Safety commission has ordered the DPS agency to review all of its security measures at the Capitol complex and the governor's mansion - with help from the U.S. Secret Service.

Thos weekend, our local paper, building on an AP story, reports that the U.S. cattle industry could lose $4.1 billion if there were an accidental release of foot-and-mouth disease from a high-security animal disease research lab proposed for the northwest portion of our county. Our locale is one of five sites vying for the next-generation Plum Island, New York facility.

If the lab were put in Kansas and there were a catastropic outbreak of pathogens, the losses could total $4.2 billion. (What's the difference of a tenth of a billion? How many cows?) Accidents in either Texas or Kansas would be about a billion more than if an accident happened at the current New York island site.

Interesting, too, that in the reporting, with Express-News medical writer Don Finley contributing, the Homeland Security official in charge of the study of where to locate the lab, Jamie Johnson, with the Office of National Laboratories, had his gender changed--from a he to a she.

Shal we review how the security is presently handled--or not handled--at Plum Island, which is completely surrounded by water?

Climate scientist James Hansen on the first hour of the Diane Rehm show this morning.

That April 16 column was about the time of Barack's BitterGaffe. The Republicans are going to try to paint Barack as John Kerry's lawn jockey, Dukakis's biking buddy, and Mondale's tax advisor.

Good luck trying.

I often wondered if someone would someday write a soliloquy along the lines of "...not tonight I have a headache no not tonight I said What is it with you men anyway no I have a headache no and anyway I need my sleep so no not tonight I said not tonight No."

Or maybe I just have. *sigh*

Um, please stick around, Molly. I have lots of questions. Lots.

Good morning. It is too bad about George Carlin. He and Lenny Bruce were my introduction to what we thought of as "counterculture" humor. Heady stuff for a teenager.

Cassandra, I love that question - what happened to my good body and how did I get this one instead? I'm working with it the best I can, and it isn't bad really, but it sure isn't what I remember having twenty years ago.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh at last at last at last atlastatlastatlast

punctuationisnotimportanthere

Good golly, Miss Molly!

bc

Slyness, I am a Jane Austin fan of the first order, but one must read others, so I think I will add your Dorothy Sayers to my list, to tell you the truth, I fear Virginia Woolf. ;-)

Laughing, Leo. Got that right.

Well, Mudge, capturing static electricity from corduroy pants, wool sweaters, and even CRT screens could help, I suppose.

Maybe rooms full of people stroking cats, too.

I'd worry about unscruplulous people setting up sweatshops full of kids wearing courduroy and sweaters, loaded up with Red Bull, coffee, and candy; and older folks in rocking chairs petting cats, with those sweatshop owners thinking they're going to get rich selling that electricity to the power companies.

Don't even get me started about capturing energy from bicycle delivery folks.

bc

Sort of on-Kit because while writing this, I'm multitasking (doing shipping paperwork, waiting for paint to dry, emailing confirmations, and Boodling).

CP's Bacon-ish post got me to thinking about how I'm connected to the world.

For starters, I had never even heard of a fairy door until CP mentioned them and asked if I could make her a couple of them. I'd have never come across CP without the Achenblog, so Joel deserves some credit (as does the Boodle).

Here's where it gets crazy...

The lumber I use is harvested in Canada, then shipped to Brazil or Peru to be planed and joined and finished, then shipped to the US, where I buy it in Ohio. I then use copper produced in the US and some brass bits made in China, nails produced in Taiwan, and paints and stains made in the US and China. I sell on websites based in Seattle, Denver, Germany, Australia, and Chesterville (PA). After assembly, I then ship not just to US customers, but to Canada, most of Europe, Australia, and even Malaysia (hi there, rainforest!).

So my little one-gnome shop is a player in worldwide commerce with 30% or so of sales being exports. (I am so loving the weak dollar -- Euros rock!)

Wouldn't it be cool to see a "fairy door index" up there with the Dow Jones and other financial indicators? I can just picture Erin Burnett (I blush just thinking of her) on CNBC announcing that "the FDI is up 12 points today, sending Canadian lumber futures up 40%".

I'm about a thousand comments behind...

But even I know there is a new Kit!

See Ya there, when I catch up...

Martooni, when you go public, I'm buying for sure.

VintageLady, you're in for a treat. Start with The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club. My favorites are The Nine Tailors and Gaudy Night. Michael Dirda lists Gaudy Night as one of the best mysteries ever written. (It was the only one on his list I'd ever heard of.) These are the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries and they're delightful.

We think of drug abuse as being a particularly American problem of the current age, but the plot of Murder Must Advertise, set in the 30's in London, turns on drug trafficking.

Morning friends! Glad to be home after the week away. A little frazzled and horribly back-logged, but cheerful in the face of the challenge.

bc, immediately you wrote about your stair-induced fitness, I thought, "now the gladiator sandals will look even better." It has come to this!

Indeed, Yoki. LOL

See you on the new Kit.

bc

That Top 100 made my eyes pop. Not that they don't all have something to contribute, but a lot of them are "art" in the way "art" is about nekked ladies.
(D.H. Lawrence, Lolita, etc.)

Portnoy's complaint is a good read, if you don't mind a comic novel about a man who cannot master his domain and goes on a hilariously trip through his whole life to try and find the roots of this compulsion. As somebody said after reading the novel, he respected Roth as a comic genius but would be afraid to er, shake his hand. I know that feeling.

I did read "Artist as a Young man". It would have appealed to me more as a teenager, perhaps.

There are some "future as doom" SF novels there. Read 'em all, none are on my personal A-list of SF.

"I, Claudius" is a good read especially if you like classical history. "Claudius the God" is the sequel. Both are very absorbing reads, and bring the peccadilloes of the high, powerful, and insanely Roman to life.

You should give Willa Cather a read. She's very pastoral in a way. (Death comes to the archbishop is probably not the most typical novel there, as it reads like a historical novel).

"Kim" is a very nice read, I'd rank it as the better book about India, itself, However "A passage to India" is also an excellent read as an atypical mystery.

I happen to admire Joseph Conrad a lot. He tells a story well and he writes novels about things you wouldn't expect, and he's doing in English which is like his 4th language or something. I enjoyed Lord Jim.